Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 431: Fucking crazy
Previously on Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power...
Chapter 431 – Fucking crazy
For a considerable time, Kaden and Rea remained motionless. Rea's head rested against him still, and the young woman appeared reluctant, or perhaps incapable, of lifting it away.
Kaden stayed silent, his thoughts utterly empty as he struggled to comprehend the events that had unfolded.
It felt disturbing to witness the Alchemist's lips curl into an odd smile without understanding the reason. Part of him wanted to dismiss it as mere psychological manipulation by the Alchemist... yet Kaden refused to downplay a scenario he ought not to.
With a tired sigh, he sensed Rea's deep but faint breaths brushing his shoulder. Her exhalations carried warmth, though they felt empty.
Recollections of Einar's avatar's demise flooded his mind unbidden, causing Kaden's expression to twist with embarrassment.
"I am sorry," he murmured softly, shattering the sacred quiet.
Rea offered no reply, sending Kaden's worry soaring to perilous heights. Yet soon after,
"She was the only one," Rea whispered faintly, her tone unusually fragile, "the only one who truly cared for me in that dreadful place."
Kaden held his tongue, aware that Rea needed to express herself rather than engage in conversation with him.
"Indeed... Kaden, Einar cherished me deeply. Regardless of how burdensome and peculiar her affection was, or how her fixation on me often overwhelmed her... Einar desired me above all and devoted herself entirely to my sake."
A dry, mirthless laugh escaped her. Kaden's chest tightened painfully at her confession.
"I did warn her harshly, yet she surrendered everything she had to me, and now she's perished on my behalf, forfeiting a vital portion of her strength eternally."
Kaden kept his eyes shut, absorbing Rea's emotional recounting of another. Only in that moment did he grasp Einar's profound significance to her.
Einar wasn't merely Rea's servant, as both he and Rea had previously assumed before this incident.
In that realm of perpetual grief, Einar stood as the sole entity who extended genuine love to Rea. She would sacrifice her own life or eliminate others just to elicit Rea's smile — regardless of its emptiness or distortion.
Oddly and unexpectedly, Einar had emerged as the central spark illuminating Rea's dark existence within the Church.
Now that the incessant voice had vanished from her thoughts, no longer cooing "my beautiful Rea" at every turn, the God-Touched finally recognized the depth of its importance to her.
It had been irritating, much of the time. Yet... she confessed now that its absence left a void.
How peculiar, Kaden mused wearily, that individuals only truly appreciate something — or acknowledge its influence on them — once it's gone.
And this holds true, no matter how much they believe they've paid it sufficient heed.
Such insight, combined with Rea's words, prompted Kaden to reflect on his bond with her.
Though they were intended as fiancés, Kaden acknowledged that their connection was scarcely developed.
Even Einar appeared to occupy a loftier position in Rea's regard than he did.
At this thought, a serpent of envy coiled icily within his heart without warning. Unable to hold back, he voiced it.
"Me or her?" he inquired, his tone more strained than intended. Regret struck him immediately upon uttering his hidden sentiment.
Rea's form quivered slightly at the query, clearly caught off guard by it from Kaden, especially under these circumstances.
An awkward, heavy quiet expanded between them, but Kaden neither withdrew his statement nor reiterated it.
Luckily, Rea didn't keep him in suspense for long.
"You," she replied nearly timidly, "are my fiancé."
"I know. But that doesn't address what I asked." He responded. "I'm sorry if the timing's off, but I need to understand."
"I don't know." Rea admitted. "Einar has accompanied me through these recent years. Just her, and no one else. She's stayed by my side and protected me far more than you ever have. She observed my progress and offered guidance as well as she knew how. Naturally, one can't demand perfection from someone steeped in endless misery, but she gave her utmost."
Rea fell silent briefly, clenching Kaden's heart like a vise, before resuming.
"Still," Rea raised her head from his shoulder at last, meeting his gaze once more and studying his striking features and those mesmerizing eyes aglow with stars, "you were the first to provide me with a path forward. You may not realize it, but your presence heavily shaped my choice to become the Saintess."
She attempted a smile, but the dark streaks marring her tear-streaked face rendered her ghostly.
To his unease, Kaden found the image appealing.
"So I don't know. Both of you hold great value to me. And... I can't decide between you."
Kaden hesitated for a few moments, then offered a subtle smile.
"Well," he remarked, a spark lighting his eyes, "if that devoted Einar means so much to you, perhaps I ought to treat her with more kindness. The next time our paths cross, I'll make amends for this tragic occurrence."
"Huh?" Rea blurted out, taken aback by his response. Deep down, with a twinge of shame, she had anticipated — and secretly hoped for — jealousy and fury from him.
For reasons she couldn't pinpoint, such a reaction would confirm that Kaden harbored feelings for her, proving she wasn't alone in her fluster whenever he drew near.
But his words were merely these, leaving Rea chilled inside, though anger and frustration bubbled up.
'What was I expecting, da—!'
"Why the surprise?" Kaden cocked his head, baffled. "Shouldn't I value the person you cherish?"
Rea scoffed visibly. "You simply don't care for me sufficiently, that's it."
Kaden's confusion deepened. "My concern for you is precisely why I'm willing to consider Einar. Fool. If it were solely up to me, I'd have dismissed — or slain — her for her attachment to you."
"Then do it."
"What?" Kaden's eyes bulged.
"I said," Rea glowered, "do it."
Kaden paused for a moment, fixing his gaze on hers before dragging a hand over his face in frustration.
"You're baffling me, damn it, Rea. You want me to eliminate Einar?"
"Not truly eliminate." Rea shot back with equal irritation and vexation. "But you could attempt it and spare her in the end. Injure her, just not fatally."
"But why?"
"To prove you care for me." Rea nearly yelled. "Isn't that clear?"
'No, it's damn well not!' Kaden longed to bellow, but he chose maturity instead.
He inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves.
"Alright, let's clarify this." He murmured, eyeing Rea who regarded him like a complete dimwit.
His mouth quirked.
"Einar adores you."
"Yes."
"I'm your fiancé."
"Yes."
"And you wish for me to assault — or rather, harm — Einar due to her devotion to you, as a way to demonstrate my feelings for you. Is that correct?"
"Yes. Was that so hard to grasp?"
Kaden stared at her wordlessly, as though she had lost her mind. And truthfully,
"You are fucking crazy."
Rea rolled her eyes. "Spare me the obvious. A boisterous goddess rattling around in your skull works miracles."
"I can't relate."
"I didn't seek your input. Even this basic request from me feels burdensome to you."
"Would you harm or eliminate someone just because they love me?"
Rea stopped short at the question, peering into him intently with her ruby eyes shadowed by black.
Then she beamed sweetly, though Kaden sensed only foreboding.
"I would kill them." She stated casually. "Much like I urge you to kill on my behalf, I'd do the same for you. Understand, Kaden..."
She clasped his hand, still stained with the Alchemist's heart blood, between both of hers.
"...I desire that if anyone dares glance at me beyond a single second, you rip out their eyes. For I'd reciprocate. But rest easy, I'd merely wound them if they matter to you."
Kaden met her words with quiet.
'Sweetie... are you safe?' Blanche inquired anxiously.
Reditha merely chuckled, relishing the chaos. She relished watching Kaden flounder in his entanglements with women.
At last, Kaden exhaled, forcing a tight smile.
"Well, Rea, I've got news for you."
—End of Chapter 431—